Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

The water hyacinths are in bloom at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge and we're going tokayak to see them this Sat.

, June 28, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy a guided, water level tour of the Refuge, which also home to migrating waterfowl, eagles, hawks and osprey. Cost is $45 and includes equipment, guides and transportation to and from Greenway Farm in Hixson. The trip is open to adults and kids ages 14 and older when accompanied by an adult. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. To reserve, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888

More Outdoor Chattanooga Events

Registration Open for the Chattanooga 2.4 Mile Open Water Swim Aug. 16

The Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers(C.O.W.S.) will host the Chattanooga 2.4 Mile Open Water Swim on the TN River downtown on Sat., Aug. 16, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Online registration is open toexperienced open water swimmers and triathletes who wish to test themselves on the downtown course. Swimmers will start the practice from the So. Belle Riverboat, which will take them 2.4 miles upstream, and end at Ross' Landing.

Rapid Learning Kayak Skills Practice, June 25 & July 9

Come join the Rapid Learning Whitewater Program for our weekly kayak skills practice at Chester Frost County Park every Wed. with two sessions: 6 and 7 p.m. Bring the whole family and learn the basic skills that you need to paddle the Chattanooga region's beautiful whitewater (and flat water) streams. Your first visit is free. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

NO RAPID LEARNING PRACTICE JULY 2

Downtown Kayak Adventures June 28 (No Trip June 29), July 5 & 6
Take a leisurely tour of downtown Chattanooga on the TN River on Sat., June 28, and July 5 & 6, at 9:30 a.m. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide the gear, the guides and instruction for beginners ages 8 and older. Cost is $35 for adults and kids 14 and older, $25 for kids 8-13. Kids must paddle in tandem with an adult. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. To reserve, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Open Canoeing at Greenway Farm June 29 & July 6

Outdoor Chattanooga will host our regularly scheduled Open Canoeing at Greenway Farm, continuing every Sun. afternoon from 3-7 p.m., through Adults and kids ages 5 and older can paddle for an hour on N. Chickamauga Creek for $10 per person. No reservations necessary. Just come and paddle!

After 5 years and 60 miles of trail, the Lula Lake Land Trust is proud to celebrate the completion of the Cloudland Canyon Connector Trail, which runs from Lula Lake to Cloudland Canyon State Park on top of Lookout Mtn. The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting and grand opening on Fri., June 27, 11 a.m. at the state park. Bring mountain bikes and hiking boots to enjoy the trail after the ceremony.

More Community Events

Wilderness Survival Skills Hike June 27

Cloudland Canyon State Park will host a Wilderness Survival Skills hike on Fri., June 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about food management, fire making, water purification, personal hygiene and more. Cost is $25 per person and box lunches will be provided. Learn more by calling 706-913-7170.

Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon June 29
Keep an eye out on the river and roads for the 2,000+ competitors in this year'sChattanooga Waterfront Triathlon, happening this Sun., June 29, beginning at 7 a.m., hosted by the Chattanooga Track Club. The heaviest action will be at Ross' Landing and along the downtown south shore of the TN River, U.S. 27 north from downtown to Hwy. 153 and on the Tennessee Riverwalk. All segments of the triathlon will be done by 12:30 p.m.

National Park Night at the Chattanooga Lookouts June 30
Go to the ballpark this Mon., June 30 and support the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Gates open at 6 p.m., kids eat free, and special activities will highlight the significance of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Special ticket sales of $5 benefit the Friends. Call (423) 648-5623 to purchase tickets.

Zoe's Rainbow Dash for Children's Charities July 4

Run, walk or roll on this mostly flat 5K, which happens on Fri., July 4 around the Hamilton Place Mall. The event benefits local children's charities, such as the Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Bethlehem Center. Online registration is open through Tues., July 1.

News

CARTA Begins New Bus Route to Airport

The Chattanooga Area Regional Transit Authority (CARTA) has begun service from downtown Chattanooga to the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, Mon. - Fri., with six trips daily, leaving the corner of 10th St. and Market St. downtown at 6:05, 7:50 and 8:50 a.m., 12:15, 4:20 and 5:50 p.m. Airport departures at 6:40, 8:25, 9:25,12:50, 4:55 and 6:25. The trip takes approximately 35 minutes and all CARTA buses are equipped with free WiFi. Take the #19 (Cromwell Rd.).

Bicycle-Pedestrian Expressway Opens in Memphis
Our neighbors across the state in Memphis opened a new car free bicycle and pedestrian expressway that runs for one mile along the Mississippi River. The new corridor took an under utilized section of roadway and converted it as a connector to the Hanrahan pedestrian bridge project. See photos and learn more at People for Bikes.

Here is the fishing report from the TWRA: Center Hill Reservoir : Reservoir Conditions : Current water elevation is 632.5. The water surface temperature is averaging 40 degrees. Saturday the water was stained in the back of creeks and clearer out in the main river. Largemouth Bass : Fishermen had few bites but when they did, they were ... (click for more)

Emily Parish, director of Conservation for the Land Trust for Tennessee will be the featured speaker for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s March Nature @ Noontime. The program will be held on Thursday, March 5, at the TWRA’s Region II Ray Bell Building in the Ellington Agriculture Complex. Ms. Parish will speak about the history and programs for The Land Trust for ... (click for more)

Hamilton County has been placed under a Winter Storm Watch with a prediction of freezing rain, sleet and snow for Thursday. The new wintry mix is slated to begin around midnight on Wednesday and continue through 4 p.m. on Thursday. There could be up to two inches of snow following up on last week's eight inches. Here is the Winter Storm Watch: ...WINTER STORM ... (click for more)

Circuit Court Clerk Larry Henry said he hopes to E-Filing of documents and other court papers to the clerk’s office this year. He said at first it appeared it might take much longer, but that progress is being made to the online program. Mr. Henry told members of the Pachyderm Club that attorneys, litigants and members of the public would be able to go online to view ... (click for more)

Tennessee needs health care reform. Expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, or "Obamacare," was not the best solution for Tennesseans. That is why the vast majority of Tennessee legislators never publicly supported the plan defeated in a special legislative session in February. It is important to distinguish health care from health insurance. As one physician ... (click for more)

I am deeply saddened that over two dozen members of Congress – all Democrats – will be boycotting a speech by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, when he speaks in Washington tonight. I am also offended that the President of the United States will not receive Netanyahu prior to the speech – a customary gesture on such occasions – because he claims it is too close to ... (click for more)